Dickie Bush Quotes

You’re stuck because you dramatically underestimate the intensity required to grow.

If you spent half as many hours taking action as you did thinking about taking action, you would be in a better spot

The fear of hitting publish isn't fear, it's an ego problem.

You're assuming everyone is going to read what you write.

So keep in mind:

There are 0 people on earth refreshing their browsers waiting to read your writing.

Start listening to the market instead of hiding from it.

Tomorrow is a great day to realize no one is coming to save you.

Become a superconnector.

After you meet someone new, think about someone you should introduce them to.

Instead of a linear chain of connections, this creates a dense web of relationships.

It's hard to overestimate this compounding.

Reasons to tweet:

1. Refine ideas -> every essay I write starts as a tweet. 280-characters is the ultimate creative restraint.

2. Create a learning flywheel -> learn, share, discuss, repeat.

3. Attract like-minded people -> show people I see the world the same way they do.

Focusing on one thing leads to quality, consistency, and credibility.

The smartest thing you can do: realize you aren't that smart.

The best operators know what they know, but more importantly what they don't know.

Double down on what you know. Surround yourself with people who know everything else.

Too much consuming, not enough creating.

The best writing advice I've ever received:

1. Stop when you have something left to say.
2. Write a 100-word note to yourself where you left off.
3. Pick up with low friction and immediate momentum.

This could be applied to more than writing.

Start treating your writing like a startup.

• Ship an MVP
• Talk to users
• Analyze data
• Prioritize distribution
• Solve specific problems
• Focus on reader experience
• Say something different, not better

Lean Writing is the key to writing in the digital age.

You’re stuck because you set too many goals.

If you cannot name the 3 things you’re pursuing in life right now, you are unfocused.

Why?

The human brain can remember no more than 3 things quickly.

Tic-tac-toe. ABC. Stop drop & roll. Blood, sweat, and tears.

One health. One business. One lifestyle.

Then pursue ferociously.

How to think about consistency:

Doing something consistently for years boils down to overcoming the three or four times you really want to give it up.

Said another way, you can stick to anything if you know those days are coming (and what you'll do when they show up).

Writer's block isn't real.

It's simply performance anxiety.

You've built up a story in your head that:

• What you write needs to be perfect
• Everyone is going to judge your writing
• What you create needs to change the world

Quiet the stories.

Merely ship the work.

Be mindful of multiplying by zero.

• Ideas without action = 0
• Great product with no marketing = 0
• Five-star kitchen with a flooded bathroom = 0
• 10 years of 20% returns, one year of blowups = 0